In the fifth year of the Chenhe era, the capital was in turmoil and bloodshed. Under the strict investigation of the Anti-Corruption Court, corrupt officials were successively dismissed. The Jinyiwei and the Dali Temple raided their homes daily, and the execution grounds outside the Meridian Gate were a river of blood, difficult to clean up.
The sons of nobles were not spared either and were thrown into prison one after another. The evidence of their crimes was conclusive, and no matter how much they tried to get help from others, it was of no avail.
Since entering the Dali Temple, it has been difficult for them to meet again. People in the capital are in a state of panic all day long, fearing that the emperor's guillotine will fall. Ordinary people are also terrified and stay indoors.
Amidst the turmoil, the Duke of Zhenguo's residence was not immune. Someone within the residence was implicated in corruption, and the entire household was in turmoil, like ants on a hot pan. Several wives had lost their former grace and were at a loss.
At this moment, Jin Linlin just hoped that no more trouble would happen. Her grandmother and sister-in-law were bedridden, Zhuang Youjia and his men were watching them, and the only one left was Jiang Shiwei.
"Chunxue, send someone to keep an eye on the second young lady and don't let her cause trouble at this time." Jin Linlin instructed Chunxue behind her.
"Madam, don't worry. I've already asked Yinzi to bring people to keep an eye on the Second Young Miss. They will definitely not let anything happen to her."
Jiang Zhixu was the deputy commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and this incident made him a sharp sword in the emperor's hand. He could hit anyone he pointed at, and he was cold and ruthless. His reputation as the Living King of Hell became more and more famous.
This matter has been going on for nearly a month. Jiang Zhixu has been in the Jinyiwei, and she has not seen him for nearly a month. He just told her not to worry and did not say anything else. This matter was set up by the Emperor of Song to deprive her of her title.
There was such a thing in the book, the title of the Duke of Zhenguo was stripped, but now she and Jiang Zhixu are both alive, and some things are destined not to be the same as in the book.
Jiang Shiwei was stunned at this moment. At this time in his previous life, his second brother and sister-in-law had already passed away, and his third brother had grown up overnight. How could this happen? His second brother and sister-in-law were still alive.
Could someone else have been reborn like me? Who could it be? The person who could have saved the second and third wives from this deadlock must be the second and third wives. One of these four must have been reborn.
Jiang Shiwei secretly speculated in his heart that if someone from the second or third house was really reborn, then the other party knew about the future and would definitely have some plans, so he had to be on guard.
Jiang Shiwei was going to marry the Fourth Prince in this life, so she had to give him enough support. How could she make him love her more? She had to have leverage.
She was determined to seize this opportunity and show her talents in front of the Fourth Prince.
She first secretly contacted the Fourth Prince's familiar staff and expressed her willingness to serve the Fourth Prince. One reason was that she knew what would happen in the future, and the other was that she knew where the military tokens of the eldest princess's troops were hidden.
Jiang Shiwei's mind was as clear as a mirror. If she wanted to remain as stable as a rock in this vortex of palace fighting and family feuds, she had to take the initiative. She was also treading on thin ice, wary of the second or third wife who might be reborn.
However, she had no idea that her every word and action had already been seen by others.
Inside the Longchen Hall of the Imperial Palace
Emperor Song sat upright on the dragon throne, like a steady mountain, listening quietly to the report from the Dali Temple below:
"Your Majesty, this investigation has confiscate[ed] corrupt officials, both large and small, totaling seventy-eight. The evidence is irrefutable. Fifty-one of them have embezzled a significant amount of money. Their homes have been confiscated and their entire families have been beheaded. Their assets have also been confiscated, as per Your Majesty's order, into the national treasury. Many officials from the Ministry of Revenue are implicated in this case, and half of them are implicated. Here is a list of those implicated and the types of embezzled funds. Your Majesty, please review them."
After the Dali Temple Minister finished speaking, he raised the list in his hand high above his head, took small steps to Eunuch Guo, and handed it to him respectfully. Eunuch Guo then bowed and carefully presented it to the emperor.
The palace was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The emperor took the list, examining it as if it were a heavy burden. The more he looked, the darker his expression grew, as if a storm was brewing. He thought to himself, "How many years have I been on the throne? These corrupt officials have been committing crimes since the time of my father. They are simply lawless and audacious! Even if I behead them in public, it would not be enough to allay my hatred."
"Prime Minister Zhuge, how is the matter of stripping his title going?" The emperor put down the list and turned to ask.
Zhuge Daye stepped forward and saluted, his voice as deep as a bell: "Your Majesty, we have arrested many sons of noble titles, and the evidence is irrefutable. There are also two marquises who have committed capital crimes and have been imprisoned for almost a month. The people in the capital are now in panic. Your Majesty can issue an edict to appease them."
Emperor Song stroked the dragon head on the throne, as if stroking his own kingdom. After thinking it over, he slowly said, "Well, I'll announce the decree at the court tomorrow morning and release the man! If there's nothing wrong, you can leave."
"Yes, I will take my leave."
The two of them withdrew respectfully. The emperor drank a cup of tea and turned to ask, "Did the third brother go to the harem?"
Eunuch Guo smiled flatteringly and said, "Yes, Imperial Concubine Qing misses the Third Prince. You promised her yesterday that you would let the Third Prince visit her. I guess they've been talking for a while now. Do you want to go and see Imperial Concubine Qing?"
Emperor Song shook his head, as if it was a matter that had nothing to do with him, and said, "Let Qingxin and her son talk. I won't go."
The Song Emperor doted on this woman from the Dongjin people for ten years, treating her like a rare treasure. He even gave her the title of Concubine Qing.
What Emperor Song didn't know was that at this moment in Concubine Qing's bedroom, the mother and son were like lambs to be slaughtered. Each of them took a pill and slowly sat on a stool, waiting to ease the pain that was surging like a tide in their bodies.
The third prince could no longer endure this dark and gloomy life. The mother and son were like birds trapped in a cage, and they could only get a pill to relieve their pain once every six months. This life had been going on for almost ten years.
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